Grade 11 College Math
Day:27
Unit: Exponents
Topic: Prerequisite Skills
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homework check: none today
note: Prerequisite Skills
When working with exponents, we must be sure to always use BEDMAS. Order of
operations tells us when to perform each step.
B – brackets
E – exponents
D – division
M – multiplication
A – addition
S – subtraction
We need to remember that both multiplication and division are done in the order they
appear as well as addition and subtraction. For example,
2
( 7 − 3)
2
+ ( 3 − 5) =
8
42
2
=
+ ( −2 )
8
16
=
+4
8
= 2+4
=6
Also, an exponent only applies to what it directly follows. For example,
4
−34 =
( −3 ) =
= −81
= 81
( −5 )
2
=
= −25
= 25
( −3 )
3
− 52 =
=
−33 =
= −27
= −27
Notice the differences when the exponent is even or odd. The brackets hold the negative
sign, so when the exponent is even, the negative sign is also squared or to the fourth, etc…
making a positive result. The odd exponent on a negative number will always be odd.
Substituting into formulas involves the use of BEDMAS as well. For example,
n
A = P (1 + i ) where i = 8%, P = $2500, and n = 15 years
15
A = 2500 (1 + 0.08 )
15
A = 2500 (1.08 )
A = 2500 ( 3.172169 )
A = $7930.42
homework assignment: FCM 11 p. 354 # 1 – 8